The Parish Youth Apostolate, in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Hinatuan, recently conducted a Summer Youth Camp at Saint Augustine Parish, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. It was graced with the theme “Filipino Youth: Called to be Saints; Sent Forth as New Heroes of Faith”. The activity intends to strengthen the spiritual growth of the youth as individual and as member of the community.

 It was participated by 264 youth from the six (6) districts of the municipality and seven (7) parish leaders. Noticeably, the Youth Camp was predominated by a total of 136 Pantawid Pamilya Children Beneficiaries.

 The occasion was formally started with a mass and followed by several talks conducted by invited spiritual leaders to explain and demonstrate the theme to the participants. Ms. Sha Honey B. Sarvida, Pantawid Pamilya Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Person was also invited by the group to share her knowledge as Resource Person on the issue of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention (CSAP) as part of their community awareness session. The talk highlighted the Kinds of Touch that is deemed necessary in the prevention of CSA and sharing of real life experiences of abuse cases of children.  Ms. Sarvida also added that Filipino youth can become heroes in their modest ways when they take part as ambassadors and advocates of Child Sexual Abuse prevention. The illustrations and detailed discussion of the kinds of touch have leaved a significant impact not only to the youth participants but to the organizers as well. Father Leonardo Quizada, Jr. happily demonstrated the safe touch as he shake hands with the resource speaker after her speech.

 The event did not only give awareness to the participants, but have also opened opportunities of molding their characters, behaviors and spirituality as they heartedly do self-meditations and spiritual activities; built new relationships from their new found friends; and boosted their self-esteem and courage through several team and individual games and contest.

 Hearing the participants say that they enjoyed the whole activity is already fulfilling. But hearing from them the thought of sharing what they learned from that short talk to their fellow youth is more rewarding; because it entails replication of awareness to others. This is a stepping stone towards becoming new heroes of faith. ### (Sha Honey Sardiva and Stella Maris Barlisan/ DSWD FO Caraga)